Gamenotes: Rhode Island/Richmond (.pdf)
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BY MATT SWISS
GoRhody.com Senior Staff Writer
Every year, millions of people watch as the ball drops in Times Square and the calendar changes from December 31 of one year to January 1 of another. And every year, millions of people make their lists of New Year's Resolutions, promising to make better decisions and to give up bad habits.
If the double overtime road win against Boston College on Jan. 2 was any indication, it is clear to see that the URI basketball team are holding true their resolutions to change their ways for the better heading into Saturday's Atlantic 10 opener at home versus Richmond.
For so much of Rhody's non-conference schedule, the Rams were unable to close out the close games – losing twice in overtime at George Mason and at home against Maine - and once with an unprecedented five-point play with 18 seconds to go versus Yale. URI often struggled to move the ball in the half court, and seemed a step behind defensively. Those bad habits led to a bad overall record.
But over their last three games, Rhode Island has shown a renewed effort on the court. Gone were the patterns of bad defensive habits and offensive decisions. In their place was a tremendous effort on the glass and an ability to make the big shots when they counted – especially in their third win in as many seasons over BC.
"I thought it was a great team effort; a really, really great team effort," head coach Jim Baron said. "I thought we did what we needed to do. Offensively, we got to the free throw line, made extra passes, and rebounded the basketball. We did a good job of defending and I thought we turned them over enough, especially in the half court, and then we stepped up and made plays."
The win over the Eagles was Rhody's second in its last three games and much of the team's recent success can be attributed to its new look backcourt.
With the addition of Virginia transfer Billy Baron, as well as the noticeable growth and improved play of freshmen T.J. Buchanan and Mike Powell, the Rams now suit up a formidable trio of guards which give Rhode Island a reason to be confident heading into conference play.
"T.J. is a great glue guy. He really gives so much effort and his effort is always seen. He has a huge heart and the same thing with Mike," Billy Baron said. "Mike has a great heart and we compliment each other, I think. I'm a shooter, Mike's a slasher, and T.J.'s a little bit of both."
"It definitely feels like things are starting to turn around," senior captain Orion Outerbridge added. "Every game, I'm seeing more and more improvement, guys are stepping up every game. This is the second straight game Mike Powell has brought it. He lifted us through the entire game and we got strong play from Billy (Baron) and T.J. (Buchanan) too."
In his last four games, Powell has been the floor general the Rams have been searching for all season, averaging 16.3 points and 3.8 assists per game. As solid as those numbers are, Powell has also eliminated the turnovers that had plagued him early on in his first season of college basketball.
Against the Eagles, Powell's presence was felt perhaps even more so while he was off the floor than when he was on it. His 10 first half points paced the Rams to an early 23-14 lead but when he was taken out because of foul trouble with 7:11 remaining, Rhody's offense went cold as BC put together a 14-5 run in a six minute span to tie the game at 28.
Late in the game, however, it was back to business for Powell, who made a crucial free throw to tie the game with 21 seconds left in regulation before notching 6 points, an assist and a rebound in the two overtime periods, without committing a single turnover en route to the Rams' third win of the season.
"He's gotten tougher and stronger as we're moving forward," Coach Baron said of Powell, who finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists against the Eagles of the ACC. "He's a feisty kid."
"Things are definitely getting better," Powell added. "We're having much better practices, everybody is playing together, we're working the ball around and working better on offense. We're feeling good going into league play."
Consider the solid play of Outerbridge and freshman big man Jonathan Holton for much of the season and add now a much-improved backcourt that not only can score, but can also rebound the basketball. Baron, Powell, and Buchanan have combined to average 13.7 boards a game during the team's last three contests.
As far as the Atlantic 10 slate is concerned, URI is undefeated. It is a new look team and it is a new year on the calendar. But if success is going to become a new habit, the Runnin' Rams must remain disciplined and continue to stand by their New Year's Resolutions if they truly wish to turn things around in Kingston.
